Tongue-support



(Nomaden VJ. MGGONNELL 88E. H. TAYLOR.

TONGUE SUPPORT.

No. 289,018. .Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

JAMES MCCONNELL AND EDW'ARD renoue- H. TAYLOR, OF YASSAR, MICHIGAN.

soPPoRT.

SECIFICATN forming part of Letters vPatent No. 289,013, dated November 27, 1883.

Application filed August 8, 188,3. (No model.)

To @0U whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMns MoCoNNnLL and Enwann H. TAYLOR, citizens of the United States, residing at Vassar, inthe county of Tuscola and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Shaft and Tongue Supports for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to that class of devices which are designed to hold the shafts or poles of vehicles in raised position, in order to prevent the shaft or pole from being trodden upon by the team while the latter is being harnessed to the vehicle, and in order, also, to lessen the space occupied by the vehicle when housed.

The object of our invention is to provide a simple and self-acting device for the purpose above stated, in lieu of devices heretofore used, which 'require manipulation in order to perform their intended functions.

To the above ends our invention consists in the provision of a spring-holder mounted upon the vehicle-axle, and so arranged as to engage with and grasp the shaft or pole when the latter is raised.

Our invention further consists in an improved manner of attaching the said springholder to its supporting-standard.

Our invention further consists in certain details ot construction, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that our invention may 'be fully understood, we will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle-axle and its shaft with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a modiiied form of my improved holder or support. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a still further modification, which is employed when the device is used as a tongue-support. Fig. 4 is a view of the spring, the attachingjaw, and the connecting-screw, said devices being in disconnected but proximate position.

In the said drawings, A designates the axle .of the vehicle, and c the spindle to receive the wheel.

B designates an arm or support, the lower end of which is L-shaped, and which is attached by its lower horizontal portion, l, to

CJi

the under side of the axle by the clip C. The forward extremity of this horizontal portion carries a block, l, which is formed integrallyr with the portion 1, and to which the thill-iron 2 is attached by a bolt inserted transversely of the block and thiil-iron through suitable eyes formed therein. The vertical portionof the L-shaped end of the standard is extended at tion, b, the upper extremity of which lies about vertically above the axle A. The upper extremity of the part b is formed with alaterally-enlarged portion, Z1, through which an eye, b2, is formed. The under side of this portion b is not flush with the corresponding side of the support, but lies somewhat above it, so as to forma shoulder, Z, for a purpose presently to be described.

D designates a holder formed of resilient metal. This device is composed of a single piece of wire, or a plate, bent in such manner as to form a U-shaped inner portion, d, two semicircular oppositely-disposed portions, d, and two outwardly daring oppositelydisposed portions, d". The inner or U-shaped portion, d, is that by which the holder is attached to the standard or support B. The manner in which we secure the holder D to the support B is as follows: The holder D is placed with its inner portion, d, beneath the underside of the laterallyenlarged portion b of the arm or support. A plate, B, is placed beneath theinner portion of the spring-holder D, so that the latter is interposed between the under side of the laterally-extended portion b ofthe support B and the upper side of the plate B. The plate B rests at its inner end against the shoulder b3 of the support B, and is provided with an eye, d3, through which a screw or bolt, B2, is inserted, the said screw or bolt B2 being also inserted from above through the eye b2 of the laterallyeXtended portion b of the support B, and between the arms of the U-shaped portion d. of the springholder D, and thence through the eye di of the plate B. Thus it will be seen the holder D is securely clamped between the laterally-extended portion of the support and the plate B.

In Fig. 2we have shown the support B provided with the L-shaped lower portion; but in this form of support thebloelr l is omitted.

its upper end in the form of a U shaped por! IOC) In other respects the support B is similar to that shown in Fig. l, and may be similarly secured to the axle.

In Fig. 3 we have shown a modified form of construction, which is adapted for use in connection with the tongues or poles of vehicles, in lieu of the shafts. ln this device the holder consists of a'body, b, having a lug, b, at' each extremity, said lugs being formed with eyes, through which the securing-bolts are passed. The body bS is also formed with a central forwardlyextending projection, Zi, to which the spring-holder D is similarly attached, as above described. This body b5 is designed to be attached above the axle, and midway of its length between the axle and front spring. The same bolts which secure'the vehiclcspring to the axle serve also to secure the body to the axle by passing through the eyes in its lugs b The outer end portion of the body is enlarged laterally, as indicated at b, and such enlarged portion is formed with an eye, b2, corresponding to the eye previously described. The body is also formed with a shoulder, b3, corresponding to the shoulder previously described. The spring-holder D is secured in position beneath the laterally enlarged portion by the plate B and screw or bolt B, in the manner previously stated.

Ve are aware that resilient supporting-arms have heretofore been mounted upon the axles of vehicles7 and arranged to engage with and hold the shafts in elevated position; but our invention is clearly distinguishable from such preceding structures.

We hereby reserve to ourselves the right to make separate applications for Letters Patent for the modiiications not herein specifically claimed.'

' The shafts or tongues E are preferably provided with metallic shields or, guards e e', l

' raised.

' Having thus described our invention, we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent- In a shaft-support consisting of the arm B,

having the lower L-shaped horizontal portion provided with a block, l, to which is secured the thill-iron 2, the U-shaped middle portion, b, laterally-enlarged upper extremity, b', having a shoulder, b, interposed between the under faces of the laterally-extended portion and the support, the holding-spring D, formed of a U-shaped portion, d, seniicircular portion d', and the outwardly-flaring portion d, the said spring being held in position by a plate, B, and secured by a bolt passing through eyes b2 d", the whole being secured to the under side of the axle A by the lower horizontal portion, 1, and clip C, all substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. 

